The Eagle

Hello Everyone Over the last couple of months I have been figuring out what the NAO is, so ive come up with the following and i am just wondering is there something missing? My understanding is the NAO is based on pressure values in the North Atlantic. The 'normal' state of the atmosphere in this part of the world involves a zone of high pressure - the Azores high- which as the name suggests resides near the Azores and low pressure near Iceland. However sometimes this setup differs and you may end up with the Azores high stronger than the Iceland low or they might be equal in Intensity. The index used to determine the state of the setup is known as the NAO. Positive, Average and Negative. A positive conclusion suggests a strong Azores high and deep Icelandic low. Positive values are associated with strong Westerly winds which blow across the North Atlantic leaving us generally mild. Negative values however point to a kind of sterile atmosphere where Northern Europe suffers colder winters due to the increaded frequency of Northeasterlies and Easterly winds. Looking through the records i reckon its important to say that during the 1960s the NAO was very negative (and im sure everyones heard of those winters) :blink: Then it really just rose up to around the early 90s and became strongly positive. IMO that could explain the slacker Winters. Its also odd that considering its effect on the synoptic situation IMO the Met Office seasonal till January says this actually could be a generally mild winter.hmmmmmmm Is the reading of about -1 for this year likely to influence the positioning of the Greenland high I wonder, :blink: and perhaps give us a Channel low and its Easterlies....If im missing anything please tell me

Nite then........ive got 1947 on the brain now. Birrrrrrr (you know that town in Offaly)

Have you noticed the string of sustained northerly incursions the gfs is hinting at for the end of this month?

I wait in hope

Looks to have been a chilly northwesterly probrably with wintry showers in the west and north. Does anyone know of any significant natural event i.e volcanic eruptions.....that happened around this period to cause such a cold series of winters? :huh:

Hi John, I think this synoptic says it all:

Hi all, Thats a great read John, Cheers. It would make you wonder wether we would have the capability to go through a winter like that today without sustaining harsh economic consequences??? Truly a remarkable set of synoptics that year I want snowey weather this year but not as harsh as that!! Hi Breezy i get the info from my grandparents too, some very interesting stories indeed Also an intiguing article Mr Data

Hi all In 1947/48 and 48/49 were so vicious apparently we got our worst winter on record with unrivalled low temperatures. At Sligo the temp low one night in Jan 49 was -19.1C and also -19.6C at Glasnevin in Dublin. Daytime temps rarly made it above 3C. And relations have said it snowed through till June that year (49)!!!The snow was so deep it would have covered ppls front doors. I dont think weve come near that since but i might be wrong

Dry, low cloud, some misty stuff, not humid,temp 15C.

Ah thanks OON, much appreciated Twas a bit strange i thought

Hello, Just enquiring about the post count. Cause sometimes it dosnt go up (not that i care about my post count). Does it go up at the end of the day or is it just a bit faulty? Be glad to know Regards, Conor.

Thunder, very heavy rain, 12C, not humid.

Hi TWS. IMO northwesterlies are the best chance of significant snowfall. A northwesterly blast from my experience brings the most snow particularly just after christmas where it is fine (the snow) and can remain on the ground for as much as five days! It really is the best direction.........Conor.

Cold and wet. Moderate rain. 12C. Interestingly the temp has not change in 7 hrs!